How to say "champion" in Japanese

• チャンピオンCommon
  nounThe loanword for a champion — the winner of a competition, especially in sports. When you simply mean someone who has won a title, this is usually the word to reach for.
  私はチャンピオンと対戦たいせんした。↗

  I played against the champion.
• 闘士とうしCommon
  nounThis covers the figurative sense 'champion (of)': someone who fights for a cause or ideal. It also means a fighter or boxer, so it is not the word for a competition winner.
• 王おうJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Fundamentally the word for a king; as 'champion' it is figurative, for the 'king' of a field. It is seldom the plain word for a competition winner.
• 王者おうじゃCommon
  nounThe word for the reigning champion — the team or player standing at the top of a sport or competition. It can also describe the dominant force in any field.
• 覇者はしゃCommon
  nounA champion, winner, or titleholder, with the nuance of one who has prevailed over all rivals to stand at the top. Often used for tournament victors.

Use 「チャンピオン」 for a competition winner in general, 王者 or 覇者 for the one who stands atop a field, 闘士 for a champion of a cause, and 王 figuratively as the 'king' of a domain.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• チャンピオンchampion
• 闘士とうしfighter (for)
• 優勝者ゆうしょうしゃchampion
• 選手権保持者せんしゅけんほじしゃchampion
• 擁護者ようごしゃadvocate
• 王おうtycoon
• 王者おうじゃchampion
• 覇者はしゃchampion